Financial Damage ‘Snowballing’, Urgent Need for Thorough Police Investigation to Verify the Truth
73 Billion Won Ad Sponsor Lawsuit and House Seizure Following Controversy
In recent events, the financial damage caused by false accusations and slander on popular figures in South Korea has become an issue of urgency. Notably, the case involving Wonyoung Jang, a member of the popular idol group IVE, and the malicious actions of a cyber-recker YouTuber have garnered significant attention.
As reported by Kang Il-hong of The Fact, Wonyoung Jang, renowned for her talent and charm, faced unwarranted defamation which led her to pursue legal action last year, successfully achieving a judgment including fines and damages compensation amounting to several tens of millions of won against the offending YouTuber.
This malicious conduct by cyber reckers, a term likened to ‘wrecker’ vehicles that rush to accident scenes for profit, also targeted other celebrities such as Kang Daniel, BTS’s V and Jungkook, over an 8-month period, resulting in a series of defamatory videos impacting the personal and professional lives of these public figures.
In a related situation, the influencer Tzuyang, with 10 million YouTube subscribers, fell victim to threats and monetary extortion revolving around her personal history, masterminded by a coalition of cyber-recker YouTubers. Legal actions have since resulted in prison sentences for those involved in exploiting Tzuyang’s past for financial gain.
Similarly, actor Kim Soo-hyun found himself embroiled in a 73-billion-won lawsuit initiated by advertisers, stemming from a controversy linked to the late actress Kim Sae-ron. This situation was exacerbated by further unfounded claims and speculation propagated online, underscoring the challenges faced by public figures against such backgrounds of fabricated narratives or AI manipulations.
Despite these instances highlighting the severity of the issue, the investigation process remains criticized for its sluggishness. As public interest wavers, there is a pressing need for a swift and thorough police investigation to mitigate ongoing damage and uncover the truth, preventing further compounded woes for those unfairly ensnarled in misinformation and slander.
In light of these developments, The Fact urges expedient action to deliver justice and suggests that the continued inaction could swell the damages inflicted on these victims. The urgency to discern the truth and uphold justice cannot be overstated in the face of mounting pressures and reputational risks faced by media figures and their affiliates.